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INTRODUCTION

This issue is a true miscellany, containing articles from home and abroad, from contributors and from the archives, and ranging in content from personal tales to issues of a wider perspective.
Such is the heady mix of historical information which we receive, and which we hope finds a suitable outlet in these pages.

We continue the serialisation of Canon Tudor Jones's Headley 1066-1966, which in this issue reaches more or less the half-way point, and we complete the 2-part series on the Fort Garry Horse Regiment's stay here during the last war, as recorded in their War Diary.

Myra Treharne (née Pedrick) tells us of her time serving the McAndrew family at Headley Park and Headley Wood in the late 1940s.

I have used information from Joyce Stevens, Margaret Gauntlett (née Smith) and others to piece together a short illustrated article on the 1951 Pageant of Headley.

One sheet in a bundle sent to us by Mrs Fry of Tilford when clearing out some family papers with her brother Graham West enables us to bid a sad 'farewell' to The Wheatsheaf, finally demolished this year, by showing an inventory of its goods and stock in 1864.

And finally, we include yet another fascinating article originating from e-mail correspondence from the other side of the world, as Pat Lawson introduces us to the secret of the Scandal in Wishanger, 1876. This all stemmed from a request by Pat for information on the origin of the name 'Wishanger' which they had found in family papers in New Zealand. It's a small world.

The Headley Society welcomes the submission of articles for future editions of Headley Miscellany - please contact Jo Smith on 01428 712892, or by post at 19 Kay Crescent, Headley Down GU35 8AH, or contact me by e-mail.

EXTRACT FROM 'HEADLEY 1066-1966'

the late Canon J.S. Tudor Jones

In Volumes 1 & 2 of 'Headley Miscellany,' we published the first four chapters of 'Headley 1066-1966,' written by the late Canon J.S. Tudor Jones in 1966 upon his retirement as Rector of Headley. Here are the next excerpts from the same booklet.

The Registers

The Headley Registers are among the oldest in the land. Fearon and Williams in their Hampshire Registers quote Headley's earliest entry first of the illustrations they give, from "delightful little paper books". In 1538 Thomas Cromwell issued his famous Injunctions of which the twelfth reads: Item, that you and every parson, vicar or curate within the Diocese, shall for every Church keep one book or register, wherein ye shall write the day and year of every wedding, christening and burying made in your parish for your time, and so every man succeeding you likewise, and also there insert every person's name that shall be so wedded, christened or buried.

In those days it would take some time before these Injunctions were circulated and observed, especially in such a backwater as Headley, so it is interesting to note that the first entries, below, are at such an early date.

Ao. Di. 1540. De Baptizatis. The xixth daye off Marche was chrystened Agnes Phylpe the daughter off John and Johane Phylpe.
Ao. Di. 1539. De Maritatis. The 1st daye off July was marryed Robert Hardyng and Kateryn Woolffe.
Ao. Di. 1539. De Sepultis. The xxvith daye off Marche was burryed Wyllyam Rawlyne off the age of iiii years; the ffathers name Rychard Rawlyne, the mothers Johane Rawlyne.

A brother of the late Lady O'Brien conferred a great boon on the parish by transcribing all the entries up to the year 1927, and, in addition, the Registers are indexed (the Marriages for 420 years, the Baptisms and Burials for 270 years).

The following places are mentioned in the early registers, the figures showing the earliest date at which each is found: Almshouse 1612; Alton 1614; Erverd (now Arford) 1620 and Erford 1623; Barvarde 1562 and Barford Mill 1614; Bevells 1603; Binsted 1618; Brydge 1568 and Bridge 1591; Bordon Lodge in the Forest 1567; Broxed 1585; Chirte 1613; Evelye 1576 and Eveley 1593; Farnahm 1572 and ffarnam 1574; ffrensam 1551 and Frensham 1579; Grashott 1564 and Grayshott 1584; Hasellmere 1597; Hatch 1594; Heath House 1555; Hedley Hill 1587; Hedley Wood 1599; Herne 1582 and Hearne 1618; Hilland 1596; Huntingford Bridge 1562; Lindford 1632; Linsted 1576;The Lodge 1591; Mathewes 1606; Moorhouse 1563; Sanders Green 1567; Seamans (now Simmondstones) 1584 and Symons Green 1564; Slaford Bridge 1563 and Slaforth Bridge 1568; Stanford 1583; Streame 1619; Tratsworth 1627; Trotsford 1563 and Trotsforthe 1566; Wyshanger 1563.

Some of the more interesting entries in the Registers are as follows:
1570 'Bachelor of the age of 60'.
1572 'Robartt Lockyng committyng hymself to an unskylfull surgion was cutt at Farnahm and died and was ther buried'.
1573 'His mother comyng into this Parish by chance to se her mother and so was delyvered'.
1581 Rychard Fygg 'of the age of 95 yeares as he told me'.
1584 In the early registers the same name is often spelt differently in the same paragraph e.g. Nov. 1. Elizabeth Hardinge daughter of Thomas Hardynge. [During the centuries the name Headley has been spelt thus: Hallege (11th century); Hertelegh (13th), Hedle and Hetlegh (14th), Hedley (15th), Hethle and Hethelie (16th), Hedleigh (17th) Heathley (18th).
1597 'Elizabeth Mylls a mayde.' 'John Morer a lame mann.'
1602 The name of the eldest child of William Coxe (Rector) put into the Baptism register with a flourish, but not so the second!
1609 May and June, 3 Northalls and 3 Hills buried within 4 weeks.
1618 'A poore travayling woman buried.'
1628 Baptised 'Elizabeth Geokene the minister's daughter of this Parish' (? Elizabeth Geokene Coxe).
1644 'Agnes, daughter of John and Mary Holloway was (by reason of waters overflowing) baptised at Kingsley.'

1654 The only marriage entered between 1654 and 1658 was performed by a J.P. (Edward Heighes Esq.). Thirteen 'Bands' were, however, published during that period.

In 1666 the Act for burying in woollen was passed. The penalties, not being at first sufficient, a new Act was passed in 1678. The purpose of the Act was to encourage the woollen trade, and to lessen the importation of linen. The penalty for non-observance was £5; a register had to be kept; there was an exception in the case of one dying of plague; and the Act was to be publicly read in churches for seven years on the Sunday after Aug. 2nd.

1690 'May 15th. Thomas the sonn of John Marland was interred. Affidavit was made before Mr. Joseph Bush, Curate of Bramshott by John Marland that the said Thomas was buried in woolen only according to the Act. Attested under the hands and seals of Widow Jenks and Sarah Prior'.

Beginning with May 1690 a proper Register was kept of Burials and Affidavits as above. This ceases in 1792. But "Aff" is put to all the Burials from 27 June 1801 to the end of 1812.

1695 'Mr. Wm. Sympson Rector of Hedley was interred the 11th of August. Affidavit was made before Mr. Ed. Jenkins Vicar of Farnham by Joan Baker that the said Mr. Sympson was buried in woolen only, witnesses Tho. Rowland, Hugh Evans'. And at the end of the year 'This is a true and full Register of all Burials in ye Parish of Hedley since the last Easter Sessions, April 13th 96. Wm. Rooke, Rector. April the 18th 1696, seene and allowed by us T. Jervoise, Cha. Cole'.

1700 June 15. Joan the wife of John Bristow, yeoman, was buried. In the affidavit register: 'Joan the wife of John Bristow was buried in linnen, the money forfeited according to the law in that behalf given to the informer, and the rest distributed to the poore'. [There is a note that in 1803 the widow of the late Rector was buried in linen.]

1700/01/03. Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sarah, daughters of Rector (Rooke) baptized.
1710 Aug 15. James Forde, Vicar of Farnham was married to Elizabeth Muggleston, also of Farnham.
1727 Joshua Hunt, adult aged 65 years, baptised.
1734 Benjamin Langwith, Dr. in Divinity, Rector of Petworth, was married to Sarah Gregory of Dorking.

1739 March 2nd. 'A male infant dropt at the House near Frensham Great Pond on ye 10th of January last in the evening, was baptised by the name of William Pond.' Mr. Laverty sagely remarks that Pond's descendants would never know how they came by their name!

1747 "Thomas Gatehouse, Jun. of Wallop, Esqre and Ann Maria Huggins eldest daughter of Wm. Huggins Esqre were married by Licence." This Thos. Gatehouse, afterwards Sir Thomas, used to drive from Nether Wallop in a four-in-hand, and a wooden bridge which stood over the water dividing Headley and Kingsley parishes was called 'Sir Thomas Gatehouse's Wooden Bridge'. It was afterwards in the middle of Bordon Camp. Mr. Huggins, the wife's father, offered the use of his house in Headley Park to Dr. Smollett, on his 'enlargement from the King's Bench' but the doctor would not leave London. Sir T. Gatehouse is said to be the original of Sir T. Bulford in 'Humphrey Clinker'.
Sir Thomas' daughter was married to Mr. Daniel Knight of Eveley. This hasty widower 'married Miss Gatehouse some six weeks after the death of his first wife; and it is said that his son cried all through the wedding service.'

And as a tail-piece,
1874 Baptised Henriette Amelia Louise Flora Therese Seymour Saunders of Hilland.
A formidable name indeed, but nothing approaching that of a Merseyside football fan who in 1966 had his child christened with all the eleven surnames of the successful Liverpool team!

The following entry in the Registers relates to the spire which was burnt in the fire of 1836:
'Memorandum 1803: That the Church Spire was new shingled this year and the present Weather-Cock or Vane (more properly called) was placed upon it the 13th December. The Vane is made of Copper with Iron Braces, weights 25 lbs. and is in length 5ft. 3ins. It was made at Bromley in Kent, and was the gift of the present Rector, Henry Smith; it cost six guineas without the carriage. Witness, John Fox, Curate.'

A Bishop Enquires

At various dates from 1559 (and probably before) the Bishops of Winchester (and Headley was then in that Diocese) issued what were known as Visitations-a series of questions concerning the affairs of the parishers. They are interesting as showing the kind of thing that most concerned the Church authorities at particular periods. The following are typical examples:

1559 It is ordered that all clergy are to see that all shrines, images and candlesticks are to be removed. The Wardens are asked if their clergy extolled pilgrimages and relics.

Do you know who in their houses keep undefaced images, pictures or other monuments of superstition, and adore them?
Have you taken down all glass with images on it and defaced all pictures or images on the walls?

1590 TO THE CLERGY. You are questioned as to any who have intruded themselves who have not been lawfully called, or if a deacon has usurped the Office of Minister? Whether lay persons have read openly in Divine Service or solemnised Matrimony, or ministered any Sacrament ? If any say or sing in private Conventicle, Mass, or any service contrary to the laws of this realm? Do they baptise in basons or in Fonts? Do they minister the Holy Communion in wafer bread or common bread, in profane cuppes, dishes, bowls, or in a decent Communion Cup kept for the same purpose only, or whether the communicant stands, sits or kneels? Whether at Perambulation they say any other rite or ceremony than to say or sing in English the Psalm with the Litany and one Homily?

TO THE LAITIE. Whether all images, shrines and other monuments of idolatry and superstition be put out of your parishes? Whether the roode lofts be pulled down and a partition made between Chancel and Church?
As time goes on these questions become less searching. The next Visitation of which extracts are quoted is that of 1691

Is your Parish Church in repair? Doth the minister endeavour to reclaim all Popish Resusants (sic) if any such be visiting your parish? Doth he baptise without Godfather or Godmother? Does he celebrate the Lord's Supper often, so that every one of the parishioners may receive three times a year at least, Easter being one? Doth he marry in private houses or hath he married at other hours than 8 to 12? Doth your minister and parishioners observe the yearly Perambulation in Rogation Week for preserving the bounds of the parish? Doth every parishioner kneel at prayer and Sacrament and stand once the Creed and Gospel are read?

From 'Visitation' of 1714:
TO CHURCHWARDENS AND SIDESMEN
Is there a large Bible of last translation? Have you a Register Book and a bier and herse cloth for burials? Is your churchyard fenced? Is your minister ordained according to the laws of the Church of England and legally inducted? Is he resident or how long has he been absent without urgent necessity? Does he instruct the youths and endeavour to reform profane people? Does he neglect to visit the sick or baptise a sick or dying child?

And that of 1801:
Does your Minister, if residing, read once a month in your Church the Common Prayer and himself in person? Doth he four times a year read the Act of Parliament against profane cursing or swearing? Are there any parishioners who are late or who are noisy in your Churchyard during Divine Service? Is your Parish Clerk and Sexton 20 at least, and honest? Are his wages duly paid him and when a person is dying, doth he, upon notice given him thereof, toll a bell that the neighbours may be warned therebye to meditate on their own death and commend the soul of the dying person to the Grace and Mercy of God? Do your Churchwardens know who comes late to church or depart before the whole is ended?

Headley During the Commonwealth

The first Rector appointed by Queens College Oxford was Averie Thompson in 1632. When Cromwell ousted Charles I from the throne, most of the loyal clergy, including the Rector, were dispossessed of their livings in the year 1644. Instead of regular clergy, itinerant preachers were employed who rode about the country to teach the people the new and fanatical religion. Nothing is known as to what happened to Averie Thompson until he was restored to his living in 1660, but Dr. Scott records that John Longworth, vicar of the neighbouring parish of Selborne, after he was dispossessed "retired to a little tenement about one hundred and fifty yards from the church, where he earned a small pittance by the practise of physic... On the Sunday after his [Longworth's] deprivation, his puritanical successor began his sermon from Psalm 20.8 'They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright'."

In 1652 the following document was issued:-

"To the Honble the Comttee of Parliamt concerning plundered ministers.
The humble petition of the provost and schollars of Queen's College in the University of Oxford.
Sheweth,
that whereas your petitioners are the undoubted patrons of the Rectoryes of Heidley and Carisbrooke and of the Vicaridge of Godshill in the County of Southampton and of the Vicaridge of Holy-Roods in the Towne of Southampton, which sayd Rectoryes and Vicarsidges for the severall delinquencyes of the respective Incumbents, have been for diversye years siquestrated and to continue during which time severall provisions of ministers have bene made for the severall parishes, who by reason of their frequent removealls have not taken just care for the payment of the tenths yeerly due to the Comonwealth, nor for the necessary reparation of the Houses belonging to their respective Churches, by means whereof the right of yr petitioners is prejudiced, and those who shall hereafter be presented by them like to be much damnifyed, in being compelled to pay the Tenth, and other incumbent charges in arrier, and being left without remedy for the dilapidations that have accrued during the sequestrations for prevention and remedy whereof.
Yr. petitioners humbly pray
That it would please this Honble Comttee to graunt that when and as often as any minister enjoying the sequestration of any Benefice of the patronage of your petitioners shall be removed by death, cession or otherwise, the care of providing for those Churches may be permitted to your petitioners and their successors, they not dominating any person to any place but such of their Society as for their guifts and abilityes for the worke of the ministery, and their affections to the present Governmt that be approved by the Honble Comttee.

An Odd Fellow

A certain amount of information, amusing and otherwise, is available concerning William Sewell (Rector 1765-1800).

The first extract is from a letter to a friend by the Rev. R. Radcliffe, a Fellow of Queen's:
"Our very best living was vacant in summer by the death of the immortal Holmes (sic), and has fallen to the share of the very oddest Fellow belonging to us. You will know that I mean Dr. Sewell."
From the Queen's College Register "Oct. 14.1765. Agreed at a meeting of the Fellows, the Provost being absent [he had had a stroke in the spring of the year], that William Sewell, M.A., be presented to the Rectory of Headleigh, alias Heathleigh, vacant by the death of Dr. Holme."

The following is written by his grandson, another William Sewell, a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, and the founder of Radley and St. Columba's College, Dublin in Volume I of his 'Reminiscences':

"He was a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford, a man of learning, great in Hebrew and mathematics, very small indeed, I suspect, in knowledge of the world. I often heard him spoken of by my father and mother and aunts. He seems to have lived on at Queen's College, as men did in those days, waiting for a good College living until they were wholly unfit for it. He took the College living of Headley in Hampshire, somewhere under Hindhead between Petersfield and Farnham, and married, as I have said, Miss Clarke of the Isle of Wight, of whom I only know that she died a martyr to rheumatic gout. And great-aunt Hanbury has often told me that she had to watch by her mother at night without sleeping, so long that at last she herself lost the power of sleep and was obliged to have her eyelids closed by others, by force. She seems to have borne her sufferings with saintly patience, and after the death of my grandfather lived and died at Farnham in Surrey. My grandfather himself must, by all accounts, have been a representative man. He might have sat for a picture of his class-the old College Fellow transplanted into a large wild living. And how totally unlike the same class in the present day! The details I have heard drop from my father led me to think of my grandfather as a grave, quaint old man with a wig; immersed in his Hebrew and mathematics, and allowing the world around him to go on as it liked. There was a time when he kept a carriage, probably soon after his marriage, and I have heard of his going out to dinner in it. But the horses, which in the morning had been engaged with the plough, were sadly disinclined to drag the heavy unwieldy vehicle through the ruts and mire of the North Hants lanes, and they came to a standstill. The coachman's whip was useless, till my grandfather got out of the carriage, took his penknife and applied it in such a determined way to the animals' flanks, that they started off with my grandmother, leaving himself behind in the mud.

My grandfather was a County magistrate, but he allowed my aunts to relieve him in the duty of signing papers and other official acts of the hand, when he was himself immersed in his Hebrew. "Sir," said my aunt one Sunday to him, "the bells are going for church; had you not better get ready?" "Wait a minute, Fanny, wait a minute." Fanny waited a minute. Five minutes passed and my aunt renewed her warning. "Wait a minute, Fanny, wait; do not interrupt me again." He was warned and again refused to move. "But, Sir, the people are all in church." "Let them wait, Fanny, let them wait." And they did wait, till their patience was exhausted-and when at last he went, he met them at the door coming out.

One bitter cold December Sunday the singers were indulging in a very long anthem. My grandfather was in the pulpit, impatient to commence his sermon, and still more impatient of the cold. He looked to the gallery, but in vain; made signs, but no symptom of cessation. Then he caught the eye of the clerk, but the clerk persisted in a bass solo in which he was deeply interested. At last my grandfather waved his handkerchief to the performers-but still no stop. So he got down out of the pulpit, went up into the gallery, took the clerk by the shoulders and shook him well. "Won't you stop?" he said. "Won't you stop?"

I have often heard my father describe the burying the dead at night when the smallpox was raging. Only my father to hold the lantern over the grave, and the wind howling in the leafless trees.

The living was a good one, but I suspect there was no worldly wisdom to manage finances and that at one time they fell into disorder, and my father postponed his own marriage to enable him to assist his family. This consisted of three daughters, Fanny, Lydia and Elizabeth, and at least another son, Barnabas, besides my father Thomas. I am not sure that there was not a third son. But Barnabas died, I believe, in India, and I have no trace of anyone else.'

*****
Headley is the next parish to Selborne and when Wm. Sewell became Rector of Headley, Gilbert White had for some years been Curate of Selborne. The two men were friends, and one letter from Sewell to White has been preserved, and is printed below. It is taken from 'Life and Letters of G. White' Holt-White, ii, 12-14.

Headley, Aug. 7. 1777
Revd. Sir,
Out of a large pot of Medals (about 3 years since) which were found in Wulmere pond, I collected a regular series from Claudius Drusus to Commodus included; that is, Medals of all the Roman Emperors from A.D. 43 to A.D. 194. Vespasian, a General under Claudius Drusus, about A.D. 47, marched down with a Roman Army this way, from the parts where London now is, towards Porchester, S. Hampton and the Isle of Wight. It is beautiful on Headley Heath and Common to observe the Entrenchments of the Romans and Britains over against each other; the first advancing, the other retreating. The Romans crossed Headly River at Stanford, and advanced to the place which now is Wulmere pond; and there fixed an abiding Station or City, which remained for near 150 years; when they seem to have been expelled thence by the Britains, or perhaps by an earthquake or some other cause. Great treasures even now lye buried in that pond....
The greatest curiosity thereabouts is, as I said, the advancement of the Roman Army to the S.W. over Hindhead, and over Headly upper Heath and Common.
I am, Sir, most respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Wm. Sewell

Memorandum
At the last Interview with Mr. Lee of Headley Wood and Mr. Knight, two of the principal Farmers, they proposed to take the Tithes at my Valuation, if an Allowance of Thirty Pounds is made to them, for the Trouble of Collecting and the Risk of Losing something by bad Tenants. My Opinion is that, though the Valuation is a very fair one and moderate for each Tenant, to take his own Tithes, yet it would be worthwhile for Mr. Sewell to allow them 20£, rather than to have the trouble and losses which perhaps will be unavoidable in Collecting from such a Number of Tenants, whose Property lies at a considerable Distance from the Parsonage House and Barns, and several of these Tenants in narrow circumstances, or, indeed, if better Terms cannot be made with Messrs. Lee & Knight, it would be prudent to close with them; because, from the great distance, that many of the lands lie from the Parsonage, and the Trouble the Tenants would give to any Stranger, that takes the Tithes, in Kind, from the Losses he would sustain, and the additional Expenses he would beat (?) in collecting, probably near double the Sum, which Messrs. Lee & Knight demand, must be allowed out of the Valuation to a Tenant, who takes the Tithes in Kind, in order to enable him to pay his Rent. Mr. Baker, another of the principal Tenants, when I last saw him, offered 35£ per Annum from the Glebe, which was valued at £ 37. 16. 0.
Signed B. Pryce
A true Copy, Wm. Sewell.

Headley, June 6, 1774 The Agreement with John Caiger
We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, in Public Vestry summoned for the Purpose, Do hereby consent and agree to Release, transfer and Make over to Mr. John Caiger of the parish of Headley, Inn-holder, In consideration of the sum of One hundred and thirty pounds payable to the Church-Wardens, Overseers and principal inhabitants of the said Parish on Michs day next 1774. All that cottage and parcel of Land, part of the Land called Vintners, situate and lying at Hedley-hill in the West-part of the Way there, between the land of Martha Dunce on the South, Pit Lane on the North and with the West end abutteth upon the Land of the Parsonage. And the said John Caiger doth for himself hereby Agree to purchase the above premises of the sd Parish and to pay One hundred and thirty pounds for the same on Michaelmas day next as aforesaid, for the use of the said Church-Wardens, Over-seers and principal Inhabitants of the said Parish of Headley for the time being and their successors, On their making over and conveying to him the said John Caiger the premises aforesaid free from all Incumbrances whatever, the said John Caiger paying for the said conveyances and all other charges attending the same. In witness whereof we the said Rector, Church-Wardens, Overseers and principal Inhabitants of the sd Parish of Headley in the County of Southampton aforesaid Do hereunto set our hands in confirmation of the above Agreement this 6th day of June 1774.
Wm. Sewell Rector. John Caiger
John Clear, W. Brider: Church-Wardens
Thos. Hunt, Wm. Channell: Over-Seers

There followed 20 names and underneath this–
June 6th 1774. I hereby acknowledge to have received of and from the said Purchaser John Caiger the sum of Half a guinea, In Earnest and in part of the within sum of One hundred and thirty pounds. I say Received for the use of the said Parish Officers etc. etc. by me. Thos. Gatehouse.

Note on the above. Ancient maps make it clear that Vintners was on the site of what is now Wakeford's butcher's shop. It was in fact the Holly Bush before the public house was moved to the other side of the road and the post where the sign of the Holly Bush used to hang can still be seen. "Hedley-hill" was the name then given to Headley High Street, "Martha Dunce's" was Mrs. Heelis' house called Duncesfield and "Pit Lane" is now Mill Lane.
This was the house where Cobbett had his refreshment [see William Cobbett's 'Rural Rides' for Sunday 24th November 1822-Ed]

Valuation of the Parsonage of Headley, in the County of Hants, taken, August, 1783

PARSONAGE HOUSE AND HOMESTEAD
A very good House, pleasantly situated on a dry healthy soil, consisting of two Parlours, and Hall, a Kitchen and Pantry, on the Ground-Floor; four Bed-Chambers, six Garrets, four Under-Ground Cellars, with a Brewhouse, Milkhouse and other convenient Offices; also of two spatious Barns, a Stable, Cowpens, Granary, Waggon-House, Fuel-House, Ash-House etc. The Gardens, Yard and Rickyard amount to about 1¾ Acres
A Plot of arable, joining the Rickyard, about ¾
The Herbage of the Church-Yard ½
Total 3 Acres
The above House and land is worth about 15£ per Annum. The Plot, the Herbage of the Church-Yard and that of the Rickyards should be reserved to the House, together with proper Stable-Room, the use of the Farm-Yard for Pigs, the exclusive use of it for Poultry, and the Run of a Cow there.
Tenant should covenant to thatch the Buildings, allow straw for litter, and also to carry Mr. Sewell's Fuel from the Heath.

To be continued in the next issue

Inventory of The Wheatsheaf, Arford - 1864

We publish this in memory of 'The Wheatsheaf,' which was demolished in March 2001

Document made out when Francis Tipper transferred to Jonas Shrubb in 1864

An inventory of Mr Tipper's Goods and Stock at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Headley.
Garden:
All the Potatoes, Cabbage, Brocoli, Mangolds, Swedes, French Beans, Onions and all other things now in the Garden and all the Apples, Nuts and the Oats now standing, also the Potatoes in the Plot behind the Blacksmiths Shop-stack of Turfs, 2 store Hogs, Pig Trough, quantity of Dressing and heap of Ashes - (Slates, Boards, Slabs, etc to one pig pen).
Fuel House:
Quantity of Wood, Bavins and Poles, 3 Hurdles, Pig Trough, 4 Tubs, 3 Hoes, 1 Beck, 1 Rake, 2 Shovels, Garden line, Hand bill, Water pail, Ash box, quantity of Crocks and old Iron, 4 fir Stools, Ladder, Booth cloth and frame, Wheelbarrow, 18 wood Spitoons, Hand cart, Door in Stable with Hinges and Bolt.
Parlour:
12 Windsor Chairs, Oak pillar and claw table, window blind, Grate and fender, 24 Rummers [large drinking glass], 14 Tumblers, 2 Water bottles, 12 Wine glasses, Snuffers and tray and water jug.
Tap Room:
Run round fixed to the ceiling, 2 deal tables and cottage grate.
Bar Parlour:
American Clock, Dresser and shelves, 5 pewter measures and funnel, 14 Quart, 31 Pint and 1 half-pint cups, 27 small Tumblers, 10 Beer glasses, 7 Rummers, 8 Dram glasses, 2 Mullers [pulverising tool], Hand bell, 2 Trays and 1 waiter, 4 Bats, 6 Wickets and 2 balls, 9 Skittle pins and ball, Window shutter to room.
Wash House:
Circular meat screen, 3 Wash pans, Pork tub, 3 iron Pots and 1 tea Kettle, Meat saw, 3 Tins, 2 gallon Jar, 3 Pans and Colander, 5 iron and 1 brass candlesticks, 4 horse and carriage Brushes and 1 Comb, Sponge and Leathers, Deal table, 3 water Pails, American Oven, 2 frying Pans and 1 Gridiron, 80 ginger beer Bottles, 2 tin Warmers and 2 tin Saucepans, Dripping pan, 2 iron Saucepans, half-gallon Measure, pair of fire Dogs, 2 Trivets, 4 crane Hooks, pair of Tongs, 2 Pokers, Basket and 2 brushes, 1 fagging Hook, Dust pan and 2 Brushes, Paste board, Pipe kiln, iron Rod and meat Hooks.
Cellar:
A 6 gallon Cask, 3 barrel Stands, Mallet, Funnel, Gimblet, 3 drip Pans, 1 Stooper, 3 brass taps, Pincers, Salting trough and Stool and quantity of Coal.
Large Bedroom No.1:
Large mahogany dining Table, 2 deal Table tops and 4 Trestles, 12 Windsor Chairs, Warming pan, Night shade, Register stove and fender, 20 doz. pipes, large Cup, 3 Bowls, 1 Dish, 3 decanters and 2 Stands, 5 salt Cellars, 6 Cruets, Punch bowl and ladle, 8 blue and white meat Dishes, 11 large Plates, 18 Plates, 18 pie Plates and 12 cheese Plates, 1 pie Dish, 3 butter Boats, 5 vegetable Dishes, 6 Cups and Saucers, 12 knives and Forks, 1 carver and Fork, 12 Teaspoons, Scales and 8 Weights, window Curtain and Blind.
Bedroom No.2:
French Bedstead and Furniture, Mattress, feather bed Bolster and 2 Pillows, 3 Blankets and Quilt, Washstand and Fittings, Dressing Table and swing Glass, 3 bedside Carpets, Window Curtain and Blind.
Bedroom No.3:
Bedstead and Furniture, Hull bed and feather Bolster and Quilt, 3-leaf clothes Horse and 2 towel Horses, Clothes Basket, Window Curtain and iron Rod, 3 pieces of Carpet.
Attic:
Stump bedstead and hull bed, 4 deal Stools and one fir Stool.

Received of Mr Jonas Shrubb the sum of Sixty seven pounds for the above named articles. Sarah Tipper. August 6th 1864.

Original document supplied by Graham West, held in Headley Archives.

A SCANDAL IN WISHANGER – 1876

Pat Lawson tells us of her husband's gt-gt-grandparents' marriage

June 1936: "The King sends you heartiest greetings and wishes on your diamond wedding day"

This telegram message which was received from Buckingham Palace by Major Robert George Vining Parker and his wife Susannah, living in New Zealand after 60 years of marriage, hardly reflects the cloud under which their marriage occurred back in 1876.

Robert George Vining Parker was born in Wishanger in October 1855, the second child and only son of farmer Robert Parker and his wife Elizabeth Alice. Robert senior is shown in the 1861 census of Headley as a 'farmer at Wishanger with 501 acres, employing 19 labourers and 3 boys', although the family is recorded as being absent on census day.

Elizabeth Alice died in 1865, leaving her husband to bring up a 9 year-old son and a 10 year-old daughter, Alice Mary. The 1871 census we see him as a widower age 61 at Pickett's Hill with 246 acres of land, and with him are his 31 year-old niece Louisa Piper and two servants.

From records later in his life, we know that young Robert was educated at St John's, Hurstpierpoint. Then in June 1876, according to family legend, he eloped with their 16-year-old parlour maid Susannah Mary Dare, daughter of Isaac Dare of Farnham - they were married at Kingston-on-Thames. Family legend also adds that he was given a trip to Canada as a 21st present, and the first his family knew of the marriage was when they found Susannah in his cabin when they went to see him off.

The reaction of Robert senior, apparently, was to disinherit his only son!

For two years the newly-weds lived in Canada, and we are told that Mrs Parker experienced 'the trials of pioneer life in the State of Minnesota' before returning to Britain at about the time their first child, Robert Vining Parker, was born on 2nd September 1878.

Soon after this, Robert George joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in January 1879 and was stationed in turn at Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Dover, Chatham and Lydd, and was awarded certificates of proficiency in laboratory work in Portsmouth and in gunnery at the School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness.
By this time they had two other children, Alice Isobel born in 1880 and Mabel Florence born in 1882.

Then in August 1883, Major Parker (as he now was) bought his discharge from the Army and left with his family for New Zealand on the sailing-ship Lady Jocelyn, landing at Wellington on New Year's Day of the following year.

For a time he was engaged in casual work, but in 1885 he was offered a position as artillery instructor with the Defence Department, taking up his duties at Auckland.

It was in this year that Lilian Edith was born, the first of nine children to be born to them in New Zealand.
The family transferred to Dunedin in 1889, naming their house there 'Wishanger' - and it was here in 1910 that Lilian met and married David Gilbert Lawson, my husband's grandfather.

Major Parker retired from the Army in 1919 with 40 years' service to his credit, and died in 1941 aged 85 years. His wife Susannah survived him by a year, and died in February 1942 aged 80 years.

David and Lilian Lawson had three children, two daughters and a son Ivan James Lawson, my husband's father.

Our interest in all this started following the deaths of my husband's parents in May 2001, two years after their own diamond wedding. When going through papers, etc, we found a typewritten tome entitled "A History of Our Family-Rogers of Westmeon 1451-1902" and references to Wishanger as a place in England. We searched the Internet for this name and discovered the Headley site. As a result we have found out a lot more information about the Parker family, which we will now add to the tome on the Rogers History. And we also intend to name our own house 'Wishanger'!

THE CANADIANS IN HEADLEY – 1943

War Diary of the Canadian Fort Garry Horse Regiment during their second posting to Lindford and Headley, Feb-May 1943
see also the Full War Diary for this period

We pick up the Diary while the Regiment was still stationed in Hove, and received the news that the Canadian Army was to be reorganised. This was not greeted with great enthusiasm, and made for one of the longest entries of any day in the Diary:—

Monday 11/1/43: There was an Officers' meeting in the evening when the Colonel delivered a momentous address. There had been a reorganization of the Canadian Army, modelled along the British lines. There will be only one Armoured Bde in an Armoured Division. The result is that this unit, with the First Hussars, leaves the 5 Armd Div. and becomes part of the 3 Cdn Armd Bde, along with the Sherbrook Fusiliers of the 5 Div. Under Brigadier Bradbrooke.
Our present Brig - Brig J.T. Rutherford - takes command of the 11 Inf Bde in the 5 Div. The G.G.H.G. [Governor General's Horse Guard] become the Recce unit of the 5 Div. The R.C.D.s [Royal Canadian Dragoons] are Corps or Army Recce. The Officers mess is stunned by this news. Although they knew that the Cdn Army was to be reorganized, the completeness of the change was not visualized by anyone.
Why the unit which is by far the best unit in the Div, as can be shown by results of Div and Bde Inspections, by Linney head, by Sports results, by results of Officers and O.R.s on courses, by our reputation in the Canadian Army generally, by our reputation with the civilians where ever we have been stationed, by the fact that our leadership is by far the most able in the Div, by the fact that our men are head and shoulders above the general caliber, by the fact that we have managed by the sheer weight of our ability to make the Brigadier who at first did not favour us, claim that we were the best unit in his Bde and by the thousand other factors, why this unit was left paraded to Lieut. Gen. A.G.L. McNaughton on our behalf, our honorary Colonel Major Gen Montague did likewise and our Colonel went to see Gen McNaughton but Gen Montague saw him on his behalf. Gen. McNaughton's attitude was that this was not a kick in the pants but merely a change, that our new Bde under Brig Thomas formerly of the 3 Armd Bde (now deceased) was likely to see action as soon as the 5 Armd Bde.
The feeling in the unit is that although it is a blow to our pride, we can turn it into our favour. We realize that geographical considerations (one unit from the East, one from the West and one from the Pacific) had to be considered in the changing of the set-up of the Canadian Army. The Ld. S.H. stayed in the 5 Div because they were an excellent unit P.F. But there is also a feeling that questions of Political expediency may have been considered. We hope not-we hate to think that others have received favours out of line with their merits. So we take things on their face value and say that the 3 Cdn Army Tank Bde is just as important as the 5 Cdn Armd Bde. Besides, if it is not, the Fort Garry Horse and the First Hussars (past slight differences forgotten) will make it so. Our leadership is too good and ability too definite to be permanently set back by blows to our pride.
We still have our Rams [a Canadian-built version of the Sherman] which is a great help. For all and sundry we issue the warning that there were no better Armoured units than ourselves and there will be no better Army Tank Units and that includes the first Army Tank Bde (of which we were once a part, for about a month).
The attitude of the unit is that we have the ability and that we will display it on the field of battle as did our unit in the last war. We were the only Militia unit in the Canadian Army in the last war to keep its entity and that entity cannot be lost.

But the most interesting result of the reorganisation from our point of view was that the Regiment found itself posted back to Headley again:—

Monday 22/2/43: The Regiment moved off at 1000 hrs (from Aldershot) and arrived in the Lindford and Headley areas at 1130 hrs. The run was well handled and no accidents occurred. The remainder of the day was spent in doing maintenance and getting settled in the barracks. Offices were set up.
Tuesday 23/2/43: Tpr. Lalonde A.J., who won the British Empire Medal last November, and two of his friends, namely, Tpr Conway V.G.H. and Tpr Fidler C. left for Buckingham Palace this morning to attend an Investiture held there by the King. His Majesty shook hands with Tpr Lalonde and pinned a Medal on his chest.
Wednesday 24/2/43: A show called "Escape to Glory" was put on in Hatch House barn by the Salvation Army.
Sunday 28/2/43: There were Church parades to Headley Parish Church for the Protestants and to Headley Village Hall for the R.C.s. The afternoon as usual was free.
Monday 1/3/43: Lieut. H.E. [Harvey] Theobald took over the post of Regimental Intelligence officer today. Lieut R.D. [Bob] Grant was posted to the newly formed Recce troop.
Wednesday 3/3/43: In the afternoon there was a football game between our unit team and the Sherbrook Fusiliers. Our unit won three to nothing. This evening there was a show (Shall We Dance) put on in the Hatch House Barn by the Salvation Army.
Thursday 4/3/43: Four German airmen escaped in a Canadian Staff car from Crawley Sussex today. At 1600 hrs Capt D.S. [Buck] Whiteford of "C" Squadron saw a staff car which was thought to be the stolen car.
Friday 5/3/43: In the afternoon there was a Soccer playoff game at Daly Field in Bordon between our unit team and the South Alberta Regiment. The South Alberta Regiment won by a margin of 8-4.
Sunday 7/3/43: There was an R.C. Church parade this morning to Grayshott where Brigadier A.M. Thomas attended with his staff. After Church there was a march past of all Brigade R.C.s with Brigadier Thomas taking the salute. An English Armoured Corps Band played for this parade. The Protestants Church parade was to Headley Parish Church where they saw the graves of Canadian soldiers who died in the last war [Bramshott?-Ed]. During the night there was an air raid during which some new Anti-personnel bombs were dropped. Incendiary bombs caused heath fires on the London - Liphook road. There was also a high explosive bomb dropped near the Hindhead Hospital.
Wednesday 10/3/43: There was a Mobile Bath at HQ Squadron today. This evening there was a dance in Headley Hall.
Thursday 11/3/43: This evening there was a picture show (Sergeant York) shown in the N.A.A.F.I. on Headley Green.
Monday 15/3/43: [Tpr Michaelis brawled with Tpr Gibbs near the Holly Bush - see 26 March]
Tuesday 16/3/43: Clear and cold becoming warmer on the day. On this morning's parade there were new mugs issued to the men. Normal training was carried out for the remainder of the day.
Friday 26/3/43: Corporal J.T. Gibbs died today from injuries received on March 15.
Saturday 27/3/43: At 1430 hrs today Lieut H.E. [Harvey] Theobald and Delores Irene Pidgin of Headley were united in marriage at St Joseph's Church at Grayshott. Immediately after the reception they left on their honeymoon. There was a range run this afternoon in which a number of competitors from each Squadron ran to Conford Ranges and then fired five application shots.
Monday 29/3/43: The Squadron O.C.'s and 2 i/c's plus the Intelligence staff proceeded to Hankley Common this morning to watch a demonstration on the handling of prisoners of war upon capture.
Tuesday 30/3/43: There were pay parades form 1230 hrs to 1800 hrs being paid in the following order "A" "B" "C" and "HQ". On these parades all men and N.C.O.'s turned out in light battle order and carried rubber boots.
Wednesday 31/3/43: This afternoon there was a group of personnel from each Squadron attended Corporal Gibbs's funeral
Sunday 4/4/43: The Regt advanced their time one hour.
Saturday 10/4/43: [All Tanked Up says 10th May] The Regiment went to "Martinique" parade square in "Camp Bordon" and practised Squadron and Regimental drill. There were marches past, first in line then in column. This was for an inspection by Major General The Hon. P.J. Montague our Hon. Col. After dismissal there was a Regimental "Victory Week" party. There were also races, rides in peeps and carriers and other entertainment for the children. The proceeds were 27 pounds.

Photograph:
Outside Long Cross Farm: Capt. H Peacey, Lt.John Whitton, Maj. J.H. Wickey, Maj. Bob Grant, Maj. Alex Christian
Capt Peacey was killed in action on 25 July 1944, and Maj Wickey, who had served in the Foreign Legion prior to the war, was later transferred to Special Operations and parachuted into Normandy before D Day
to help organize the French Resistance.

Sunday 11/4/43: There was a R.C.'s Church parade to Headley Village Hall at 0900 hrs this morning. The Protestants turned out S.A.P. at 0945 hrs dressed in best battle dress, web belts, black gloves and berets. They were transported to "Grayshott" where they dismounted and marched to "St Albans" Church in "Hindhead". On the way to the Church there was a march past with Brigadier A.M. Thomas taking the salute. The party arrived back in camp at 1250 hrs.
Tuesday 13/4/43: This evening from 2100 hrs until 2200 hrs there was a steady stream of heavy bombers passing over head proceeding due South.
Friday 23/4/43: This evening there was an air raid alert about 2230 hrs. Explosions were heard in the distance and aircraft motors were heard over head, but there was no local A.A. fire.
Tuesday 4/5/43: The usual Tuesday morning Respirator period was held this morning. "A" Sqn went through the Gas Chamber and the Dental Clinic today. "C" Sqn was at Thursley Common training with #1 C.L.R.U. "B" Sqn carried out normal training all day.
Friday 7/5/43: There was a practice harbour scheme today in preparation for the coming Bde Scheme. Tanks were stowed in the afternoon and kits packed for the scheme tomorrow. Some of our Tank crews returned with some new tanks which were equipped with steel tracks and the new Stabilizers. The Regt left this evening on the Bde scheme.
Saturday 8/5/43: Broke harbour in the morning and proceeded to Basingstoke where another harbour was set up at noon. They remained there all day and slept there that night.
Sunday 9/5/43: Broke camp at 0300 hrs at Basingstoke and proceeded eastward where they set up a crash harbour four miles North of Farnborough at approx noon. Arrived back at camp at 1500 hrs.
Monday 10/5/43: Capt A.S. [Alex] Christian gave a lecture on his experience in North Africa with the first army.
Wednesday 12/5/43: In the evening all of the Officers and some of the N.C.O.s attended a lecture at the Sally Lund Café on "What to do if you become a prisoner of War".
Friday 14/5/43: Twenty all Ranks were invited to a dance arranged by the Women's Land Army.
Saturday 15/5/43: Part of the Regt this morning for Salisbury Plains to take part in a practice demonstration for the War Office. An ENSA concert was held in the Headley Village Hall.
Monday 17/5/43: The Regt with the exception of those at Salisbury Plains proceeded to Hankley Common today to practice for the coming inspection of the Bde by a distinguished dignitary of England.
Tuesday 18/5/43: Two more tanks were delivered to the Regt today bringing our total number up to fifty. This is the largest number that the Regt has ever had at its disposal at one time.
Wednesday 19/5/43: This morning His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester inspected the Bde at Hankley Common. First His Highness watched a tank demonstration by Bde tank crews and then he drove slowly through the lines of men of the Bde who were a file along both sides of the road. As he approached each Regt he was greeted with three rousing cheers. [The Sherbrooke Fusiliers note that they extinguished fires on Ludshott Common this afternoon, started by their own mortars!]
Monday 24/5/43: The Regt was issued orders to move to the Worthing area by June the first. The advance party left this morning.
Wednesday 26/5/43: Most of the day was spent in packing and preparation for the coming move. Maintenance and stowing was done on the tanks and other tracked vehicles.
Thursday 27/5/43: The tanks were loaded on transporters so as to be ready to move off early in the morning.
Monday 21/5/43: Final clean up and inspection and inspection and loading of equipment took place today. Tonight the personnel had to sleep outside so that things would be cleaned up and ready for an early start in the morning.
Tuesday 1/6/43: Bright and fairly warm with a few passing clouds. Reveille at 0400 hrs cleaning up of sleeping areas commenced immediately. All personnel were in "A" Sqn Vehicle Park by 0545 hrs ready to move off. The move began at 0545 hrs and the convoy arrived in Worthing at 0930 hrs.

So the Fort Garry Horse Regiment finally bade farewell to Headley. They were to embark for 'Juno Beach' a year later in support of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade as part of the D-Day landings.

HEADLEY PARK & HEADLEY WOOD, 1945–49

Myra Treharne (née Pedrick) tells of her time with the McAndrew family

I was 15 years old in November 1945 when I got off the bus at Sleaford, after my long journey from Wales - the first time for me to be away from home. I was met by Elsie Stonard, the Headley Park cook, and my friend Gwenda who worked at Curtis Farm for Major & Mrs Powell.

It was pitch dark, and to me a never-ending road. We eventually arrived at the back entrance, up the steps, along a long corridor, through a large kitchen into a richly furnished room, where I was introduced to a lady with short ginger hair (Miss Wedge) and Percy Stonard who was the head gardener. He took Gwenda back to Curtis Farm. Kathleen Wedge was a teacher at Bordon School and lived with Elsie & Percy at the Park.

I was tired and hungry. After a light snack and a drink, a lady came into the room and I was introduced to her - it was my first glance of Mrs McAndrew. She had blue eyes and a lovely smile. I was to call her Madam. She told me what I was expected to do in the way of my work. I had to start at 7am by taking a can of hot water to Mr McAndrew's dressing room for him to wash and shave, and a woman called Mrs Rose Marshall would be coming in to show me around and help me for a week. She lived in a cottage near to Lindford Garage, near the bottom of Curtis Hill.

I was shown to my own bedroom - it was a luxury to me - a single bed, wardrobe, side cupboard and a wash basin, and a fireplace. There were four bedrooms, bathroom and toilet, and a very nice sitting room for the live-in staff, Mr & Mrs Stonard, Kathleen Wedge, myself, and a spare room for visitors which we would be allowed to have. My room overlooked the road.

At the front of the house were the dining room and library, which was very large with lovely wood-panel walls, a drawing room with beautiful ornaments under glass domes, grand piano, television (rare at that time) and oil paintings on the walls, one being of Mr Gerald McAndrew in his tweeds and a gun hanging over his arm.
On the other side of the dining room was a study, and a music room where the children practiced their music when home.

The men staff were paid once a month in the study by Mr McAndrew, and the women staff were paid in the drawing room by Mrs McAndrew. I was paid £4 for the first month, and then after New Year 1946 it was raised to £6 a month. I asked to be paid weekly, and to everyone's amazement I was - the first member of staff to be paid this way.

Upstairs, the floors were wide polished oak. Mr & Mrs McAndrew's bedroom had white carpets and furniture, and overlooked the lake. Mr McAndrew's dressing room was adjoining. Then there was Geraldine and Antonia's bedroom, Constance and Caroline's bedroom, a nursery, guest rooms and a drying (laundry) room, lots of cupboards on the landing, plus the many bathrooms and toilets.

On the next floor up, the furniture and carpets for the holiday house Yellow Hammers was stored.

The staff at the Park at that time were: Percy Stonard, head gardener; Elsie Stonard, cook; Mr Gould, butler; Mrs Gould, kitchen maid; Mr Fullick, gardener; Arthur Hayden, farm; Sid Ward, foreman farm; Jim Buchanan, chauffeur; Brenda Buchanan, laundry maid; John & Mary, footman & kitchen help; Mrs Marshall, house help; Len Marshall, farm; Bob Steven, gardener; Sylvia Steven, help.

Later on, when Mr & Mrs Gould retired, I took over waiting tables and the butler's duties and my cousin Sylvia came to work there.

We had shooting parties, gymkhanas; the girls had a pony each, and groomed them themselves when they were home from school. Geraldine and Antonia went to Benendon, Constance went to Farnham until she was old enough to join her sisters, and little Caroline had just started at prep school in Farnham and I had to meet her from the bus at Sleaford to save petrol, as it was rationed.

We had some very nice guests to stay. Lady O'Brien, Miss Rosemund O'Brien and master Dick (when he was on leave from the Navy) - they were Mrs McAndrew's mother, sister and brother. Admiral Vian, Polly Vian and many more, especially young ones when the girls were home.

I introduced the family to fish & chips on Fridays. I begged Elsie to let us staff have them on Fridays, so we did - then Mr & Mrs McAndrew had them too. I cycled to Ewens Fish & Chip shop at Bordon for them.
I joined the Youth Fellowship at Headley with my cousin Sylvia. We met some nice boys and girls there - John Coombes from Openfields, John Warner the Churchwarden's son, Richard Gandy and Kathleen Amey, who I think were from Headley Down. The two Johns were very gentlemanly and always saw us home to Headley Park, which was a very long walk both ways for them. Oh, to be young again!

[In 1947, the McAndrew family moved from Headley Park to Headley Wood. According to Mrs McAndrew's notes: 'The family left Headley Park after the war because the course of the river altered and affected the supply of electricity and water, so it was not possible to continue in the house. We lived at the Swan Hotel in Alton for a month and then moved to the dower house - Headley Wood Farm.]

Just before the McAndrews moved, I went home because my parents were ill. Mrs McAndrew told me to come back when I was ready, and we kept in touch. When I returned in late 1947, they were in Headley Wood.

Headley Wood was much smaller than the Park, so there were a lot fewer staff - in fact I was the only 'live in' member, working as parlour maid, doing housework in the morning, laying table and serving meals in the afternoon and evening, besides meeting Caroline from school, serving her breakfast and sitting with her for mine (at Mrs McAndrew's request to make sure little Caroline would have her breakfast before going to school).

The main part of the house faced the fields and woods, and the back looked out over the gardens and lane leading up to the house. The garden was landscaped by a Mr Peter West, who lived with the Stonards whilst he worked at the Wood.

Starting from the back entrance, the house, consisted of porch, large kitchen, a corridor with a room on the left (which was at one time a nursery, but was then a sitting room for staff - me), a butler's pantry (me), a very nice dining room looking out on front garden and fields, and a drawing room which faced the lovely landscaped gardens at the rear of the house.

The front entrance hall lead to stairs. Just inside the entrance there was a 'boot room' for outdoor wear, and toilet-come cloak room, and the usual lot of bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.
My bedroom and bathroom faced the lane, and Miss Mary McAndrew (Mr McAndrew's sister) lived in Linsted Farm, the house at the bottom of the lane.

Things were improving after the war. There were gymkhanas and shooting parties held at Headley Wood, and dances in the drawing room, and we started going to the holiday cottage in West Wittering - it was called Yellowhammers, and was a pretty thatched cottage with a garden path leading down to its own private part of beach.

I knew when we were there that Mr McAndrew was suffering with his heart because we had a visitor one day, a Mrs Tatton-Brown, she drove her big green Bentley car onto the beach and it got stuck in the sand. She could not push, nor could Mr McAndrew. He apologised and just looked on helplessly whilst we 'girls' pushed and shoved. [Eventually he was to die in 1950 of a heart attack at the relatively early age of 58 - editor]

At Yellowhammers, I had to go to Chichester to do the shopping for McAndrew, and the first time I was sent there I was asked to get buns and mushrooms besides other things. I remember her saying to me, "You must catch the 46 buns," instead of bus. I was in stitches laughing at her, but she took it in great fun.
The crest and motto of the McAndrew family was a sailing ship with 'Fortune Favours the Brave'. This crest was on all their silver and cutlery - in fact on almost everything, linen included.

When Headley Wood was eventually sold, the bedding people, Mayers Beds, bought it and the Stonards moved to Littlecote Cottage in Liphook Road. But by that time I had moved away.

At the end of 1947, I had met Dennis Nash from Standford, who worked at Lindford Garage as a mechanic. I left Headley Wood to marry him in my village church of St David's, Resolven in Wales on 20th August 1949, and after a few days we returned to Hampshire because of his work and went 'into rooms' with the two Miss Fishers, Emily and Daisie, at Riverside Bungalow in Hollywater. And what a change that was!

Myra continues her story in the next issue.

THE PAGEANT OF HEADLEY, 1951

"But has Headley a history?" When the Pageant was first discussed, this question was asked more than once. It was anticipated that at some future date a short history of the place, which many of us have come to love, will be produced, but in the meanwhile this Book provides the answer.

So begins the Foreword to the published script of The Pageant of Headley.

The original idea for a parish pageant had taken root during a casual conversation at a Youth Fellowship summer holiday the previous year, and matured as a project for the Festival of Britain celebrations in June 1951.

The pageant told the story of an English parish from AD 894 in eight episodes, which included a reproduction of the parish's celebrations in the 1851 exhibition and a visionary look into the future-the year 2051.

The script for the two-hour staging was written by Mrs Eveline Clarke of Liphook, the musical director was Kenneth Adams of Kingsley, and the producer was Mrs Frances Paton-Hood of Guildford.

'Everything in the pageant could have happened, and quite half of it did,' said Mrs Clarke to a reporter at the time. 'I have tried to show the constancy of the land and all the changes that have taken place down the centuries.'

In an episode portraying the granting of Headley Mill to a Norman knight, two of the performers were John and Peter Ellis, the owners of the Mill.

Five performances were given in the garden of Wodehouse, then the home of the Thackeray family, and more than 100 players took part.

The eight episodes were as follows:-
1. The Saxons, AD 894-villagers ambush a party of Danes
2. The Normans, AD 1069-Eustace of Boulogne takes possession of Headley Mill
3. After the Black Death, AD 1351-medieval labour troubles
4. The Elizabethans, AD 1599-Fair Charter granted to Headleigh
5. The Roundheads, AD 1645-the rector is arrested
6. The Georgians, AD 1800-Cobbett and rural unrest
7. The Victorians, AD 1851-celebration of the Great Exhibition
8. Charles VI, AD 2051-a vision of the future

The Theme of the 1951 Pageant was described by The Prologue:–
Welcome, thrice welcome, in this festive year
Which marks the twentieth mid-century.
Welcome to Headley and this English ground
Which Wessex was, and Hampshire is today.
And, being come, you will be carried back
From nineteen fifty-one to Saxon times;
From Headley of today to Hallege then;
From Headley Park as is to Broxhead Manor once;
To watch events that happened in these parts,
If not exactly on this very spot.
Through centuries of change throughout the world
We will transport you now; that you may feel
What little change comes to the good green earth
In little places set in the country-side.

The audience was seated in specially constructed stands, with ticket prices ranging from 2/- to 7/6d - on the last night from 3/- to 10/-.

One outcome of this very successful pageant was the founding of Headley Theatre Club in the following year, 1952, its prime objective being 'To unite the village in good fellowship'.
A second pageant, 'Salute to Elizabeth,' was run along similar lines to celebrate the Queen's Coronation in 1953-but we had to wait another 47 years for the next, held on the Village Green in June 2000 as part of the Millennium celebrations.

Photographs:–
The Producer, Mrs Frances Paton-Hood, enjoying the show

Characters from The Elizabethans (left to right):–
Michael Digby, Hilda Davis, Helen Tudor Jones (Rector's wife), Douglas Terry (head of Grayshott School)

Characters from The Roundheads (left to right):–
Fred Green, D'Arcy Champney, Joyce Stevens, Kathleen Wills, Valerie Gates, Ann King-Hall, Canon Tudor Jones, Pauline Buck, Dudley Teague

Characters from A Vision of the Future (left to right):–
Joyce Stevens, James Smart, Merryn Fairbank, Jeremy Calvert-Lee, Jennifer Pring?, Canon Tudor Jones, John George, Stephanie Phillips, Gordon Jones, Kathleen Tonkin?, Ann King-Hall

Children (as identified by Margaret Gauntlett):–
In the back row, left to right: Dorothy Clark, June Booley, Gladys Croft, Ann Jewell, Margaret Robbins, Sheila Hunt, Susan Burningham, Glenda Nash, June Able, Ivy Tubb, ?, Freda Taylor, Sheila Walsh, Jean Williamson, Margaret Fisher, Edith Goodyear and Jean Kemp.
Kneeling in the middle row: P Martin, Jacky Sinclair, June Marshall, Dorothy Keith, Iris Harris, Sally Woodford, Valerie Beecham and Margaret Smith herself.
In the front row: Diana Smith, Ann North, Patsy Goddard, Mary Fisher, Joyce Hillier, ?, ?, ? Leggett, Jean Tompsett, Valerie Cowie and ?.
According to the Programme, the other children involved were: M. Benham, K. Cain, B. Clarke, K. Harris, D. Johnson, M. McEwen H. Mortimer, R. Passingham, S. Rooney, D. Sarjeant, S. Tubb, J. Willshire and W. Woodford.

Photographs of the Pageant shown in this issue are courtesy of Joyce Stevens, except for that of the Children which is from Mrs Margaret Gauntlett (née Smith).

NOTES ON HEADLEY, WRITTEN IN 1975

by Beatrice Mary Snow

I was born in a bungalow at the top of Beech Hill in 1885. At the age of 3 years I attended the Holme School with 2d school money in my hand. At school I was taught Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Botany, Cooking, Needlework. All these lessons have helped me through all my life. The great event of the year was our House Show. I got prizes at the age of 10 years. I have exhibited till I am 90 years old. The great attraction to visitors was the Rectory Field entertainment. We had free seating for 1,000 people and displays from the Aldershot Military, Musical Rides, etc, with the horses. It was lovely.

I remember Headley Fair outside the Holly Bush. Stalls of sweets. china, and always a whelk stall. Such funny old folks doing the selling. Our letters came from Liphook by pony trap in the morning to our Headley Office in Longcross Hill. The horse was put to graze till the return journey in the afternoon with our mail. Letters were delivered by our local postman. We had no gas, electricity, buses. We had to draw our water from wells 120 feet deep in places. To get to Grayshott or Bordon or anywhere it was just walk. If you wanted the Doctor, you walked down to Standford.

The Village Hall is built on the village gravel pit. Alton used to buy the gravel for our roads, as there were no surfaced roads in those days. My husband was chairman of Headley Parish Council when the Hall was built and the council had a lot to do with it as it was on parish ground. My daughter Joyce presented Mrs McAndrew with bouquet of pink carnations at the opening and there was a hitch with the key at the unlocking. It was a very cold day too.

I have lived at Heather View for 60 years. When we came here Arford Common was lovely with heather of all sorts and butterflies and even corncrakes nesting here. Alas all is over now - it is not our common of years ago.

Now I close these few remarks of our village as it was. I loved my Headley and worked for it all through the years.

Reviews

The Hampshire Family Historian, Magazine of the Hampshire Genealogical Society, February 2002

The third volume of this series of booklets is published by The Headley Society, and brings together various bits of historical information. It contains articles from home and abroad on Headley and you can discover lots of delightful things – like the very first baptism in the Headley Parish Register being that of Agnes PHYLPE, daughter of John and Johane PHYLPE on 19 March 1540. This was in the extract taken from Headley 1066–1966 by the late Canon J. Tudor Jones when he retired in 1966 as Rector of the parish. There are lots of other interesting items from the registers he knew so well.

An inventory of Francis TIPPER's goods in 1864 when he transferred The Wheatsheaf at Arford to Jonas SHRUBB is included, all the more fascinating as the pub was demolished in March 2001.

PARISH INFORMATION TOO

What was best discovered from this great little booklet was the information website www.headley-village.com/history . This parish mine of information has census for 1841, 1851 and 1891, Burials 1539–1851, Monumental Inscriptions, Directories dating from 1793 to 1907, School Exam List of 1885 etc. – the list carries on endlessly. Check it out and see for yourself.

This site maintained by John Owen Smith